Any one stuggle with IBS or similar illness???
 

:?: Hello all,

I am wondering if there is anyone on here that suffers with Ibs, or any illness similar to it.

I was diagnosed in October 2006 and have been working to get my body stablilized. My body is in a constant battle with food. At this point I have more good days then bad.

I am on a very strict diet, take supplements, and do hypnotherapy.

I am wondering if there are others on here that are struggling with getting healthy in regards to the IBS or like and trying to lose weight as well.

The majority of my lost weight (over 50lbs) has been from not being able to eat when I have a really bad attack. I am concentrating now on excersising and eating as balanced as my body can tolerate.

I would love to be able to talk with others that have similar expierences...it is definitley an illness not discussed alot and most people aren't even sure what it is...

Would love to win this battle of IBS and weight loss with support and supporting others like me.

Shannon

I had probably mild, stress-induced IBS at one time (although the symptoms were anything but mild, just maybe not medical attention-worthy), and now that I have removed myself from the stressfull situation, it's virtually gone! I know that might not make you feel better, but maybe it helps you know it can go away.

Anyway - do you have the IBS cookbook? It has lots of good recipes and also even better eating advice (what you should/shouldn't eat; what order to eat foods in/etc.).

Hi,

I do have some really great IBS friendly recipe books..I am actually making a peppermint fudge cake for desert tonight...no dairy in it..

I am looking forward to getting to a place where IBS doens't affect my day to day life....

thanks

When I was in highschool and college I was having extremely bad intestinal pain issues, and the doctor diagnosed colitis, basically because they couldn't find a cause. I would have to go days without solid food to try to restabilize my system. This was also the thinnest time in my life, as I had lost 75 lbs during high school on diet pills and was steadily gaining it back.

Ever since, I have been very careful about what I eat to avoid a flare. And I usually can stop one before it gets very severe. Basically if my diet isn't a moderate one, I get sick. If I try to diet too severely and eat too many fruits and veggies (which I love), I'll get horrible stomach cramps and potty issues. Or conversely if I eat junk, like fast food or chips or any greasy food more than once in a great while, I'll also get sick.

My system just doesn't work right sometimes, and I often have to be very aware of where the restrooms are because I don't always have a lot of warning that I'll need one (it's very hard not to give TMI here).

Still, my symptoms are fairly controllable, but it is something that I always have to be aware of on some level. I have the worst time in summer, because I love summer fruits and it can be hard not to overdo. For me Ranier cherry season is the hardest, because they're my absolute favorite and the season is so short I can't resist eating more than I should. Usually there are about three to four weeks to the season, and by the last week I'm happy I won't see them for another 11 months.

Hi
I would like to share the one thing that helped my IBS was taking ground up golden linseeds, about a desert spoon ful in a smoothie or on a salad. that sorted it on a day to day basis and then i have found that since having a hysterectomy last summer I have had no more IBS Symptoms, have put on loads of weight but no more IBS.

I can offer you some excellent advice in this field. My best friend from high school was a long-time sufferer of irritable bowel syndrome. She has it under control now, and what worked for her was hypnotherapy. I don't know of any links off hand, but do a google search on "IBS hypnotherapy." Even the medical doctors agree on this.

Good luck Shannon!

She's said she is already doing hypnotherapy ;)

What else did your friend do to cope?

Glad I saw this thread this morning. I've had IBS for nearly 20 years, ever since two colon surgeries. Not too severe but annoying at times. Knowing my triggers and learning ways to ease the discomfort has been the most beneficial. My biggest triggers are certain raw fruits and certain raw veggies. I do make darned sure I get at least 40+ g of fiber a day and that has helped immensely.

I just recently started with some probiotics to see if this would make any difference. Since I am only on day 4 of it, I really cannot say since it can take 4-6 weeks to get the full effect, but so far it hasn't made things any worse.

Thank you all for your replies..

Hypnotherapy and diet changes have been the two things that have helped me the most..Lately however excercise is making a big difference as well..

It's nice to know there are some people who are aware of IBS..it is definitley complicated to live with.

I am doing my best to get healthier..taking responsibilty for both the good and the bad things I do to my body in regards to the IBS..

again thank you all for taking the time to respond

Shannon

Diagnosed, but "cured". I did an elimination diet (with the consent of my specialist) and found out what foods I couldn't eat. Now that I do not eat those foods, I am 98% better!

Hi! My hubby and I have had mild IBS for years, but this year mine has decided to get worse, in the diarrhea way. I have increased fiber somewhat but have read some info online that says this may backfire (so to speak) for those with diarrhea problems. Over time I've found that if I stick with liquids until late in the afternoon, I don't get the cramping and urgency. I use Carnation Instant Breakfast No Sugar Added in the AM with 1.5 cups of milk, then make a smoothie with yogurt at lunch (those acidophilus bugs in the yogurt probably help, too.) I seem to be able to eat whatever from dinner on. Anyone else have this weird time-of-day problem with it?

I know they are different for every person, but would you share what your trigger foods were?

I have to say it's really great to see people talking about this....

For myself I have IBS-D..My symptoms are far worse in the mornings but if I eat the wrong foods I can have an attack at any time. I have started to do very well at maintaining some stability...I went from being sick for 2-3 weeks on end to having an attack maybe 3-4 times a month..I am by no means back to "normal" whatever that means...

I take a fibre supplement, just benefibre..1/2 tsp three times a day..I excercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, have a stress reduction routine and do hypnotherapy as well as follow a very strict diet..I drink lots of ginger and peppermint tea I also have a high dose pain killer perscription because one of my side effects is debilitating pelvic cramps.

I have figured out my worst triggers through trial and error..at this point I know for a fact that the following foods without fail will make me sick..

Tomatoes( in any form..cooked or not), any dairy, citrus, red meat and too much fat. There are still many foods that I havn't tested yet..that's one of my goals for the summer. To test new veggies so that I can add some back in..I most definitley do not eat enough veggies..it's hard though because many tend to make me feel gross

I think I rambled on enough....

thanks all

shannon

Sure.

I have problems with fruit, high fructose corn syrup, and chocolate. Basically, fructose is an issue for me. My issues seem to be genetic because my mother has the same problem. She thought she was lactose intolerant, but realized after an elimination diet that she can tolerate milk.

I test positive for a wheat allergy through a blood test (no other test shows me positive for wheat allergies or Celiac), so I limit my wheat consumption, but overall, it isn't a problem.

I would suggest probiotics-Activia without sugar . Read about the H.O.P.E. diet plan-High fiber, omega 3, probiotics and digestive enzymes. Betsy Watson?/ She says the problem starts with food digestion. It's worth a look. I have major problems with diverticulosis and may have surgery-I thought it was IBS-maybe some of it was and some of it wasn't. Mima

IBS related illnesses cause havoc on anyone wanting to diet! I have IBS and Crohn's disease. I usually don't even think about the IBS because I just lump the two together and consider whatever my symptom is to be Crohn's. It's tough really. I know some of my trigger foods but others are iffy. I avoid tomatoes, grains, seeds, raw veggies, nuts, cheese, anything fried, etc. I am a lot of meds for my Crohn's which is a concern too, I worry about my liver. I haven't ever heard of hypnotherapy but am going to look it up for sure. Keep in touch!:D

Well, here's another question. Anyone else have IBS attacks when you get chilled, like walking into a highly air-conditioned room? Hubby and I both also get this.

Hello all,

Just when I think I have it figured out I get sick and have to start all over at the beginning again..


HaddockTeacher a couple of things...do you have problems in regards to your weight loss because of the chrons/ibs??? I have lost a larger amount of weight mostly from the lack of eating when I was really sick and the extreme change in my diet..now that i am trying to actually lose weight by excercising it's not happening..Im concerned my body thinks im starving it..since I am excercising quite a bit and sometimes don't feel good enough to eat alot of food.especially things like veggies and fruit and whole grains..which give me a really hard time...

and secondly I highly reccomend Hypnotherapy...for me it has helped immensley in regards to the anxiety aspect of my IBS...that's the main thing it works on..it helps with symptoms as well... I went from not being able to leave the house to returning to a more normal daily life...I am still not where I used to be pre-diagnoses but it's a huge improvement..if you are interested I could let you know what cds I use...

Ayaussy, I am actually the opposite I can be set off due to extreme heat..well it's more the shift suddenly from colder to hotter.

that was much longer than I expected it to be..

have a good night

shannon

Oh, the temperature change might be it. I do notice problems going from the heat into airco and just assumed it was the cold.

Unfortunately, you can count me into this club of IBS-D sufferers. :( I've suffered with it for years, my mom and sister have it too. Maybe it's genetic? :shrug: For me, the foods that bother me the most are red meat, fried foods, whole grains, some fruit, salads, corn, sometimes vegetables and peanuts. I've learned to attempt to stay away from these foods as much as possible, although I have been eating whole grains for the last 2 weeks (when I started my diet) with no problem. Not sure why. Eating potato chips and dairy do not seem to be a problem for me. I don't take a fiber supplement or eat probiotic yogurt because I think it would make me worse. It sure makes dieting very difficult. Going out to eat is a nightmare. :mad: Oh, and anxiety brings it on big time for me.

Wonder,
I completely understand the "starting over" thing. I got really sick this winter with Crohn's related stuff and ended up losing a little over 25 lbs in about 3 months or less. It went right back on REALLY fast with a round of Pred. and now it's not budging no where near as fast. I haven't tried hypnotherapy but would love some information on it if you would send me a message. It is very frustrating. :dizzy:

Count me in, except it was misdiagnosed. My mother, son and I were all told we had IBS (mine is pretty mild) but with further testing we've all been diagnosed with Celiac's Disease. We all follow a completely gluten-free diet and are symptom free as long as we don't get inadvertently glutened. Eating out is a nightmare because contamination can happen so easily. For example, my son ordered French fries after making sure that they weren't battered. He was sick for 5 days because the restaurant used the same oil for the fries and the onion rings. Sigh...live and learn.

April Marie- You can test positive for wheat allergy, gluten intolerance or Celiac's for years with no symptoms and then have the illness triggered by some other physical trauma or just length of exposure. My mother had no symptoms until she was 71. My son started having severe symptoms at age 16 after a horrible bout of poison ivy that required a six week course of predisone.

Thank heavens I can eat all the fruit and vegies I want, though, because otherwise a standard gluten free diet seems to be a lot higher in calories than being able to eat wheat, barley and rye grains.

Mel

Good morning-I have IBS and diverticulosis and wheat, milk and soy sensitivities.Also may have a rectocele-a weakening of the muscle between the vagina and colon.
Stress def. makes it worse=last year I tried acupuncture and it really seemed to help-they put the needles in your knees. and ankles-funny!!
I am having a colonoscopy on Monday and then they will decide what to do for me. Doc thinks IBS is more of the culprit. My diet is very limited-no raw fr. or veg. no seeds, dairy, wheat. I hope thay can do something for me. Anyone tried any meds??? Mima

I was postulating on another thread about my IBS symptoms maybe being gallbladder related, but this morning had the same IBS-D I've been getting for months and the gallbladder was out Wednesday, so I guess that wasn't it! Great tips from all of you here - thanks so much for sharing.

BTW, the surgeon for the gallbladder mentioned an antacid that helps with post gallbladder digestion problems, and another prescription. I'll find out which ones for sure. Why did Zelnorm get taken off the market??

I don't know but it had awful side effects. Mima

I have been taking zelnorm for the past year not for IBS but for complications caused by endometriosis. Last week I tried to refill my prescription and they told me it was taken off because the FDA came to the conclusion that it wasn't as safe as the originally thought. So I came home and did some research and it's due to it increasing the risks and the number of people having heartattacks and strokes in from what i understand to be in people who normally wouldn't be at risk.

you can find more info at www.zelnorm-recall.com

Wow, thanks. Sounds like the problems with NSAIDs that's been so heavily covered in the news. It's pretty ironic with how medication-oriented we've gotten.

BTW, the medication for post-gallbladder surgery diarrhea is Cholestyramine. I am certain it's not the problem for me because I had it before the GB surgery. I have seemed to hit a decent level of control using DanActive and Beano. Anyone else use these?

Well, i am done with my tests and Doc concludes that it is IBS and I need fiber. Been taking Miralax for constipation and it works so good-I don't need it every night. But I am recovering from a really bad attack of either diverticulitis or ibs. And I am supposed to go away to work tomorrow-def a stress situation. There always seems to be a stress situation around attacks. And eating wrong foods which is just about everything. I am really bummed out about this. Since I have extensive diverticulosis I am perplexed. I could go back for the accupuncture or try hypnotherapy. Bye for now Mima

IBS can be so miserable for me, and I have a mild case. I've had symptoms since I was a kid, mostly caused by nerves and a very stressful childhood. As an adult, at least 3 times a week I was used to getting sick and having to stay up most of the night dealing with it. I think a lot of that had to do with my eating habits... Fast food and other greasy foods really set mine off. Since I have started eating better, I have felt so much better! Now when I slip and have food I shouldn't, I end up sick and it's just another reason to stay away on the diet.

Hi, just found this thread. I have IBS and Diverticulitis with diarrhea and it is flaired up the last couple weeks....not sure why. I cannot eat any type of lettuce at all and raw veggies I can do in small amounts, cooked sometimes bother me but I always have a lot of "gas".

I am going to try to add some fiber to help but I have heard that fiber can bloat you and also cause gas....I don't need any more of that! Any ideas?

My Dr. tells me to take Imodium and usually 1/2 tablet stops mine and mine is usually in the mornings, no matter what I've eaten the night before.

I am due for another colonoscopy soon so I can have a good talk again with my Dr.

I go to a hypnotist for weight loss and he has helped very much with my desire to exercise and cut portions. I asked him about the cd's for IBS and he said they do work but he is not trained for that area. I may look into the cd's, could you please pm what your using.

Glad to find this group.

Phyllis

Hi lady from S.Florida-we live in Ft Myers in the winter.
I have ibs and diverticulitis. My symptoms go away when I get an antibiotic so I think it is more the divert, Walmart has a generic benefiber which I started to add to a beverage. No bloating, I take Miralax for constipation. but that's not your problem. I can hardly eat anything. I sure would like to stop the infections- I missed 4 days of work because of it. I am retired so I like extra money.
No fun to have a colonoscopy. I just had one-no polyps just lots of diverticulosis.
Mima

Thanks Mima, I will try the Benefiber you suggested. I have read to add it slowly and drink lots of water (which I do anyway). I'll get some today.

Yesterday I was fine, now today it seems to be acting up a bit............driving me crazy!!!!!!!!!!!

Phyllis

Count me in as a IBS-D sufferer. I am most certainly a "time of the day" person, which is both good and bad. 99% of my issues are first thing in the morning, although not every day. Usually it's shortly after I put something in my stomach. It doesn't seem to matter what it is although I'm sure the coffee doesn't help. ;) Sometimes it happens without eating or drinking anything. I am so thankful that I have an office job and can generally run to the washroom when I need to. I also know where every public washroom is in the downtown core!

I get so worried when we're going on vacation that I'll be stuck somewhere but for some weird, and lucky reason, this doesn't usually happen on vacation.

Because for me the "D" part is just in the morning, I can mostly eat what I want the rest of the day. I do though get these very odd dull and I don't know if they're related to the IBS, stomach aches and they seem to be triggered by raw foods - raw almonds kill me, as do some fruits and vegetables. I found that a Zantac seems to help and I can't figure out why.

I have also had my gallbladder out and been tested for Crohn's but this was thankfully ruled out.

Anything I can learn here is greatly appreciated. What a great topic for so many of us.

If you have been diagnosed with diverticulosis, you shouldn't eat seeds. I have had it for 25 years and did well avoiding seeds, but now it seems everything raw etc. gives me a stomache ache. I sure miss eating salads.
Miralax is great for constipation.
Bye for now, Mima

This is very interesting as I am noticing I have more stomach aches as I get older. I cannot eat any lettuce but I do eat raw veggies, maybe that is my problem. With having IBS-D and Diverticilus I watch seeds and nuts,if I eat any nuts I only eat like 4 and chew them forever. I now de-seed my tomatoes as I think that is the cause of my bout last couple of weeks and am basically avoiding my favorite strawberries.

For this week (knock on wood) everything seems to be calmed down. As for traveling, which we are doing a lot of now that we are retired, I am very very careful what I eat and always have Imodium in my pocket but once I get past 11 a.m. I usually am pretty safe.

I always know where all the restrooms are too...........:(

Phyllis

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis a year ago this week. I have tho stay away from anything with seeds and nuts. I also can't have corn, and have to peel the skin off of some veggies and fruits with tough skin. I love pancakes, but have found that I can't have pancakes with sausage. Something with that combo really sets me off. I have a friend with IBS. She can eat the things I can't and visa versa. I live in Illinois and right now all the sweet corn in season. I really miss that. And strawberries. I really miss those too. I really have to watch what I eat when I know I am going to be far from home. Often I just stick with water. It just is safer and less stressful.

I've not been officially diagnosed with IBS but I am fairly sure that is what I have, based on the symptoms. My Dad's side of the family has the same problems as well. Holidays get very interesting with only one bathroom at my grandmother's house. I am also doing research into Celiac disease and thinking of trying a gluten free diet for a while but I have discovered that if I eat mostly whole foods and very little sugar, that I am fine for months at a time. I don't have any problems with fruits or veggies and can have coffee in small amounts. My major triggers are fast food and soda. Once I start eating fast food or eat out too much in general, I mess my system up and I can stay sick for weeks no matter what I eat.

However, I do have problems with flair ups when I am anxious and inevitably get very sick every time I travel and spend the whole vacation taking Imodium every few hours every day and then it takes a month or more for my system to settle. I would really like to figure out how to handle this.

We went to a Mission Conference and I survived-only had to make my own lunch once. I stay away from any seeds-you can really get in trouble with infections. My diet is so limited-only cooked carrots and winter squash for vegetables-I take a multivitamin. No salads-I peel the skin off plums and peaches and eat applesauce. Def. aggravated by stress. No wheat or milk either but I have rice milk and spelt bread. I figure I should just get a feeding tube. ha!!! Mima

Hello. I think if you Fibromyalgia, chances are good that you will also have IBS. Probiotics and added fiber can help, but you have to try different types of fiber. Bran really is trigger for me.

Somebody mentioned the gallbladder. I have for years, and years, thought that mine was related to having my gallbladder removed. I had it out when I was 21 and had no problems before that time. 40 years this has been going on and it is a right pain in butt:) I don't eat much fat, but when I do, I know it immediately. Eating a hamburger from Dairy Queen sent me running at a fast pace to the washroom.

I have it undercontrol at the moment. Cleaned the Candida out of my system and am doing much better. Perhaps ask your Dr. if you can try Difulcan for a 4 week trial and take probiotics and see if it helps. It worked for me.